For the uninitiated, Byron Bay is one of Australia’s finest regions for food, beach and culture. The Byron at Byron distills the region’s unique mix into a compelling and utterly unique resort. We stayed in the Deluxe Spa suites, and once we arrived, we felt no urge to leave. Designed by Haysorn Architects, the rooms are a marvel in space maximisation and design aesthetic.

Boasting six separate sliding doors, our room adjusted throughout the day to our changing demands. There were two balconies, and our day sleep in the private rainforest enclosed daybed was a special holiday treat.

The Byron at Byron is marked by three unique things:

* The 92 room accommodation is 100 percent luxury and beautifully executed. Fittings are generous and selected with skill, matching the on-site amenities, such as the 25 meter infinity pool, gym, sauna, tennis courts and – this being Byron – the daily yoga session.

* The location is stunning. This is a resort immersed in its very own sub-tropical rainforest. Tracks are carved throughout the natural habitat, which is teaming with wildlife and offers several large lily ponds and meditation spots.

* Finally, what tips the Byron at Byron is the quality of the food and produce, which is selected daily from across the region by founding chef, Gavin Hughes. Hughes has a true belief in local produce and he offers a weekly guided tour of the farmers market for interested guests.

As a result, the teas are from Maduar (Australia’s finest tea), the pork from Bangalow, even the kids meal pizza had hand-made dough and quality toppings. Hughes’ ability to select fine, local produce and drive the local message throughout the resort sets the Byron at Byron apart.

Near full, we felt the space was still ours to enjoy in private and we easily immersed ourselves into this world class resort in one of the world’s great destinations.

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Learning to surf is hard. There’s reading the waves, respecting the line-up, and not freaking out when a big set rolls in. But the biggest challenge of all is finding gear that’s not just functional but fashionable. Call me superficial, but I don’t want to hit the beach wearing some generic ensemble that clashes with my board. So you can imagine my delight when I came across a super cool range of women’s wetsuits by Byron Bay-based label, Tallow.

Named after one of the local beaches, Tallow is created by Ali Mandalis and Shannon Clynes, who along with swimwear, apparel and accessories, make some of the most stylish wetsuits around. Worn by Elle Macpherson and Lara Bingle, these babies are slick, sexy and a little bit edgy. Sounds like it’s time to suit up, ladies.

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Our friends over at the Australian-based The Art Park have given us a wickedly cool prize pack featuring 4 men’s tees, 2 women’s tees, 3 caps and 2 Art Park journals to give away to one randomly selected LAEM subscriber and Facebook friend. To enter, Like us on Facebook (if you haven’t already), Like them on Facebook, then leave a comment under this post with the name of the city you’re in.

About The Art Park
Paul McNeil and Craig Rochfort love art and opened the park gates to all their clever friends. Soon after, talented filmmakers, artists and writers started pouring in, attracted by the flowers, trees and grass. These people went on to shape The Art Park, and eventually they all ended up living there. Inspired by the surroundings, art was made, films were played and words were sayed.

The Art Park Online Store
Not having their own ‘actual shop’ has not stopped them actually setting up a shop! The Art Park is ‘the’ location for all discerning buyers to get all they need in life (excluding food and water). Not only do they sell their own precious products, they stock all the great work of their friends. Books, zines, clothes, posters, art and all the things they like, plus more.

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My mum was born on the 11th of November at around 11am, so I’ve grown up with the 11:11 phenomenon. Basically, she’s one of those people who always happens to check the time when it’s 11:11 o’clock. Some people explain it as a coincidence; others believe it to be an auspicious sign or the signal of a spiritual presence. As a child, I never really questioned these continual occurrences; I though that 11:11 was just her thing. Well it turns out it’s also thousands of other peoples thing, and one of them owns an amazing boutique in Byron Bay called 11:11 O’Clock.

Now I don’t know if a higher power was at work, but when I stumbled upon this store, I knew the fashion gods had to be at play. And after meeting owner Ellie Connan, I wasn’t far off. She opened the boutique a year ago and is already gaining a cult following from grateful locals and city-folk, thanks to her exceptional talent for handpicking key pieces from labels like Rittenhouse, Stolen Girlfriends Club, Toggs, Strummer, Zimmerman, Nudie Jeans, Dr Denim and We Are Handsome. If you’re around Byron for the summer or are lucky enough to call the beachside town your home, I suggest you get down there quick smart.

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My boyfriend is your typical guy who likes wearing nice clothes, but has no patience for shopping. So when a recent shopping trip in Byron Bay went into its second hour, I knew I was heading into dangerous territory. I knew I only had about two more minutes before he’d reach his man-shopping threshold, so you can imagine my surprise when from across the store he called out: ‘babe, do you like these shorts?’ And sure enough there he was, elbow deep in a stack of brightly printed boardies by Aussie label, Toggs.

But it wasn’t until he had tried on a green floral pair and declared them to be the most comfortable board shorts he’d ever worn that I realised the sheer magnitude of the moment.

This is the guy who patched up his favourite boardies instead of throwing them out. And now here he was telling me that he absolutely had to have these shorts for summer, because they were not too tight, not too baggy, not too long and not too short – a rare combination that’s apparently almost impossible to find, even in an overcrowded market.

Choose from tropical prints with palm trees, flowers and flamingos, or work your nautical look in an array of stripes. Or follow my boyfriend’s lead and stock up for summer with one of each.

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How hot is this cut-aged copper bracelet decked out with heart-shaped charms? Icon Brand’s designs of late are definitely heating up raw aesthetic appeal. I’ve got my eye on their bullet, rosary and dog chains. You got to love this 1977 Byron Bay-born company that still continues to deliver quality goods.

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Run out of Australia’s surf mecca, Byron Bay, SEA Surfboards are simply the best, most creative boards around. Apparently super-designer David Carson is their number one fan.

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As the final festival devotees gather their bags, pick up their muddy gumboots, and make their long journey home, the hills of Byron Bay seem eerily quiet. Over 17,500 music fans poured into Belongil Fields for the three day Splendour in the Grass event to watch music juggernauts Devo, Sigur Ros, Wolfmother, The Presets and The Cold War Kids do their thing.

Highlights of the bill included a few Australian acts rocking out, with notable performances by The Grates and The Presets with their brilliant new sophmore albums, The Panics, Yves Klein Blue and the ever-so talented Clare Bowditch. Crowd pleasers Wolfmother and Van She had everybody dancing, and The Wombats and The Cold War Kids cemented their popularity with fantastic shows that was a highlight for many. With Splendour 2008 officially over, and the very real possibility that the festival has played its last show in Byron Bay, I’ve have to say, Splendour I salute you.

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